UPDATE: Harper stops in Wilmot

By Lawrence Powell

Spectator

NovaNewsNow.com

Prime Minister Stephen Harper arrived in Wilmot by snowmobile Friday afternoon, braving light snow and cold winds to meet with local trail enthusiasts as he unveiled the federal government’s $25 million investment in Canada’s trail network.

Reporters were shuttled in to the trail location by horse and sleigh for a short photo opportunity amid tight security and a tightly choreographed 10-minute window to take pictures and video before being ushered back out to Highway 1.

The Prime Minister‘s minute-long snowmobile trip ended with Harper getting off the vehicle, removing his helmet and gloves, and shaking hands with local trail representatives including James Frank of the Annapolis County Trail Society. “Investing in our national trail system will make it easier for more people to safely enjoy our country’s outdoor riches,” Harper said in a media release handed out to reporters. “These new trail projects will create immediate short term jobs in communities throughout Canada and open up new opportunities for the tourism industry here in Nova Scotia, and Canada-wide.”

Ottawa’s contribution will be matched by the National Trails Coalition, a joint venture made up of the Canadian Trails Foundation, Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations, and the Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle Distributors Council.

The initiative will provide funding to projects that are ready to break ground in the 2009-2010 construction seasons. These projects will invest money in local and rural regions, create jobs, and increase opportunities for tourism, at a time when the need for economic stimulus is greatest, Minister of State (Sport) Gary Lunn said in a media release.

National Trails Coalition chair Terry Norman called the investment ‘a major boost to all forms of trail-based tourism and recreational activities.”

Ottawa’s “job-creating” investment is part of the Harper Government’s Economic Action Plan.

Hike Nova Scotia president Deb Ryan was on hand for the announcement and said her understanding is that the funding will be allotted equally for snowmobile, multi-use, and non-motorized use trail development.

She said any initiative in the province that gets people physically active is good. “I see it as a very positive announcement,” she said, adding that her understanding is that shovel-ready projects within the next two years will be eligible to apply for funding.

She said that while Hike Nova Scotia’s mandate is to promote physical activity, it also wants to position Nova Scotia as a hiking destination.

It is expected that Nova Scotia projects will receive $1.3 million of the $25 million pot.

Frank, president of the Annapolis County Trails Society, greeted the Prime Minister and presented him with an ACTS membership.

As Harper drove the snowmobile into a picture opportunity, Lunn, was making the official funding announcement in North Vancouver. "Our Government sees this investment as a win for our national trails system, a win for everyone that uses healthy living space, and a win for job creation and investment in communities," said Lunn. "By providing safe and easy access to healthy living sites, like biking, walking, and snowmobiling trails, our Government is working to ensure that all Canadians benefit from their natural surroundings and have the opportunity to engage in an active and healthy lifestyle."

The release said funding will be used by the coalition to build and renew multi-purpose trails for walking, running, cross country skiing, biking, ATVs, and snowmobiles. “This will create jobs and leaving a lasting legacy of pristine trails that will benefit Canadians for years to come,” it said.

While the Prime Minister’s visit to Wilmot was supposed to be kept under wraps, a crowd began congregating at a farm market on Highway 1, the spot reporters had been instructed to meet PMO staff. Most had expected Harper would also be stopping at the farm market but around about 3:30 p.m. the Prime Minister’s motorcade zipped past the waiting crowd and reached the trail location from access further west.

Local farmer George Noble was hired to supply a horse-drawn sleigh to transport reporters who were all vetted by the Prime Minister’s staff beforehand. RCMP vehicles were in abundance in the Wilmot area and RCMP officers where on security detail on the trail during the announcement.

West Nova Conservative MP Greg Kerr was also present.

See video clip.